Those Important Words: Transition, Sequence, and Linking Words

Those Important Words: Transition, Sequence, and Linking Words

For anyone who wants to excel on the TOEFL or IELTS exams, or if you just want to be able to speak and write well; transition, sequence, and linking words are imperative. I’ve broken these words down into a few categories, so that you can gain a better understanding of when and how to use them. Let’s get started.

Those Important Words: Transition, Sequence, and Linking Words

Sequence Words

Sequence words are used to break down what you are saying into parts. This is key when you are telling a story, explaining something, or writing an essay. Here’s a list of sequence words and some examples.

First / firstly, second / secondly, third / thirdly etc

Next, Last, Finally, Then

Moreover, Additionally, Further, Furthermore, Also

Another, In addition

In conclusion, To summarise

First, second, third, next, then last, and finally are used when you are listing things, especially directions.

When planning your essay you must, first, understand what the questions is asking. Second, you need to choose the viewpoint you would like to write about. Your next step is to give a reason explaining why your viewpoint is correct. Then, you should back up your reason. Finally, you should end your paragraph with an example.

Moreover, furthermore, additionally, further, and also can all be used in the same way. They just mean you are introducing another point or reason.

There are many reasons why I like pizza. First, done right it’s the only complete meal, moreover, you can use almost anything as a topping. Furthermore, it’s great party food because everyone loves it. In conclusion, pizza is just delicious, and I love it.

Silly, but you get the point (I hope).

Another and in addition to, are also used to introduce another point. However these two words tend to start a sentence. The words above can be used to start a sentence or they can be used in the middle of a sentence usually after a comma (,).

In addition to the previous reason, we still need to use animal products in certain circumstances because animal testing is still necessary in limited situations.

Another reason why we still need to use animal products in certain circumstances is because animal testing is still necessary in limited situations.

In conclusion and to surmise can be used both at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle of a sentence after a comma (,). They can both announce the final step of something or introduce the result of something. The words can be used in the same way as finally. And they are often used to start the final paragraph of an essay.

To surmise scientific research should be controlled by private companies because they are the only entities that can be trusted to dispense financial and other resources responsibly.

Those Important Words: Transition, Sequence, and Linking Words

Result Words

These words are used to tell the result of something or to give a conclusion. The result can be good, or bad, or neutral. Some of these words are interchangeable (can be replaced by each other or used in the same way).

So, Therefore, As a result of, Thus, Hence

As a consequence (of), Due to

Consequently

So, therefore, as a result of, thus, consequently, and hence are all interchangeable. Once you learn how to use one, you’ve learned how to use them all. When you use these words you’re saying this happened… so this happened.

With the exception of “as a result of” these words do not usually start a sentence. They will most likely be in the middle and usually after a comma (,).

I studied really hard for my test, therefore I did very well.

I didn’t study, so I failed my class.

Private companies excel at creating innovation, thus they are the best choice to control scientific research.

I spent a lot of time on my garden, hence everyone always admires it.

As a result of, as a consequence, and due to are interchangeable. While as a result of can be used in the same way as the words above, sometimes you have to add”of” to as a consequence (as a consequence of) and sometimes you have to add “that” to due to (due to that).

As a result of my hard work I got a promotion today.

As a consequence of my hard work I got a promotion today.

Due to my hard work I got a promotion today.

Those Important Words: Transition, Sequence, and Linking Words

Amplifier or Emphasis Words

These words aren’t necessary to say what you want to say, you can get your point across without them. These words are used to give what you are saying a little boost. It’s like waving your hands or jumping up and down to make your point extra clear.

Undoubtedly, Obviously, Indeed, Clearly

Generally

Admittedly

In fact

Particularly, In particular, Especially

Importantly

Undoubtedly, obviously, indeed, and clearly can all be used in place of each other (interchangeably). They all just mean definitely or absolutely. They can be positive or negative.

I obviously love the color blue.

He undoubtedly is my favorite.

We are indeed best friends.

Putting scientific research in the hands of governments is clearly the correct choice.

Generally, Admittedly, and in fact, are all fancy ways to start a sentence.

Generally speaking most people love blue. (It’s like saying in general most people love blue)

Admittedly most people love blue. (It’s like saying I admit that most people love blue)

In fact most people love blue. (It’s like saying, I’m stating a fact, most people love blue)

Those Important Words: Transition, Sequence, and Linking Words

And or Adding Words

These words are used in the same way that you would use “and”. They show that you are adding a point. You can use them to connect two thoughts together or when you are listing things.

And

In addition

Also

Too

As well as

I love apples and oranges.

I love grapes as well as watermelons.

I love shoes, I also love handbags too.

I believe that government can produce great results from scientific research in addition to private companies.

I love American football as well as soccer.

I love American football and soccer as well.

Those Important Words: Transition, Sequence, and Linking Words

Reason/ Because Words

These words are all ways of saying because. We use them to give a reason why. So, if you’re answering the question why, you can use one of these words or phrases instead of because. All of them can be used in the beginning or in the middle of a sentence, often after a comma (,).

Because

Since

Because of

Owing to the fact that

Seeing as, Seeing that

I love my new room because it’s huge.

Since my room is huge, I love it.

Because of how big my room is, I love it.

Owing to the fact that private companies are brilliant at creating innovation, they are the best organizations to spearhead scientific research.

Seeing that in some cases it is necessary to use animals in testing new medications, we still need animal products.

Those Important Words: Transition, Sequence, and Linking Words

Example Words

These are different way to say for example.

For example, For instance, Such as

That is (ie)

Including, Namely

For example thanks to animal testing on mice researchers have been able to produce medicine that increases cancer survival rates.

For instance thanks to animal testing on mice researchers have been able to produce medicine that increases cancer survival rates.

There have been many instances when animal testing has benefited the world, such as testing medicine on mice, which increased cancer survival rates.

There have been many instances when animal testing has benefited the world, including testing medicine on mice, which increased cancer survival rates.

There have been many instances when animal testing has benefited the world, namely testing medicine on mice, which increased cancer survival rates.

Those Important Words: Transition, Sequence, and Linking Words

In Contrast (opposite ) Words

These words are used to show that you are about to talk about an opposite or opposing view. So basically these words are all different forms of the word “but”. They aren’t all interchangeable though.

However, nevertheless, nonetheless, still, although, even though, though, but, yet, while, and whereas can all be used interchangeably. You can start a sentence with them and use them in the middle of a sentence, usually after a comma (,).

I like pizza, but it’s not my favorite food.

I like pizza, however it’s not my favorite food.

I like pizza, although it’s not my favorite food.

I like pizza, nevertheless it’s not my favorite food.

I like pizza, nonetheless it’s not my favorite food.

I like pizza, even though it’s not my favorite food.

I like pizza, though it’s not my favorite food.

I like pizza, yet it’s not my favorite food.

I like pizza, still it’s not my favorite food.

I like pizza, whereas it’s not my favorite food.

I like pizza, while it’s not my favorite food.

Young people are now encouraged to start their own business once they turn 18 years old, however others think they should continue to study.

Young people are now encouraged to start their own business once they turn 18 years old, although others think they should continue to study.

Young people are now encouraged to start their own business once they turn 18 years old, yet others think they should continue to study.

Young people are now encouraged to start their own business once they turn 18 years old, whereas others think they should continue to study.

You can keep going down the list. They all work.

Despite, in spite of, and regardless can all be used in the same way as well. These words are usually used to show that someone or something unexpected or surprising has happened.

Despite his lack of experience he still did well in the tournament.

He did great in the tournament, in spite of his lack of experience.

Regardless of his lack of experience he did well in the tournament.

One the other hand, on the contrary or in contrary are used in the same way. They all introduce a new point of view and can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. Just make sure that you understand that when using these words you have to introduce two different viewpoints. You use these words when you are introducing the second viewpoint. To be clear you must introduce the first view point first. These words are often used for introducing a second viewpoint in an essay (the beginning of the second body paragraph).

On the other hand, many believe that animal testing is cruel and inhumane.

In contrary, animal testing is seen as cruel and inhumane to many.

Those Important Words: Transition, Sequence, and Linking Words

Comparison Words

These words simply compare things.

Similarly, Also

Likewise, Just like, Just as

Like

Similar to,

Compare(d) to/ with

Same as

Compare

Not only…but also

With the sentences below I’m saying I feel the same way about both things, I am not comparing them to each other. I am going to use the same sentences, but notice how they are structured differently.

I like apples and I also like oranges.

I like apples and I similarly like oranges.

I like apples, likewise I like oranges (no and)

I like apples, just like I like oranges (no and)

I like apples, just as I like oranges (no and)

Now we are going to compare one thing to another.

I like apples, thesame as I like oranges (we added “the” and there’s no “and”)

I like apples, similar to how I like oranges (we added “how” and no and)

Not only do I like apples, but I also like oranges.

Compared to how much I like apples, I don’t really like oranges.

So, there you go, that’s how to use those oh so important words; transitions, sequence and linking words. Just a quick disclaimer, this article does not go over every single way that you can use thee words, but this should be enough to get you well on your way to speaking in a more sophisticated manner.